Retention device for expansion cards

ABSTRACT

A retention device ( 40 ) is for mounting a plurality of expansion cards ( 30 ) to a rear panel ( 10 ). A plurality of expansion slots ( 12 ) is defined in the rear panel and a plurality of receiving members ( 14 ) is formed the rear panel. Two aligned pivot ( 16 ) seats are formed in a right portion of the rear panel. Each expansion card includes a metal plate ( 32 ) having a bent portion ( 36 ) and an inserting portion ( 34 ) received in a corresponding receiving member. The retention device is pivotably mounted between the two pivot seats of the rear panel. The retention device includes a pressing portion ( 42 ) and a resilient portion ( 44 ) connecting with opposite ends of the pressing portion. In assembly, the pressing portion presses against the bent portion of the metal plates toward the receiving member, and the resilient portion detachably engage with the rear panel.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0001] 1. Field of the Invention

[0002] The present invention relates to a retention device for mountinga plurality of expansion cards to a rear panel, and in particular to aretention device which can conveniently mount a plurality of expansioncards to a rear panel.

[0003] 2. Description of Prior Art

[0004] With the continued development of computers, a wide variety ofoptional extra devices are available for adding to a computer toincrease its performance and functions. Expansion cards are the mostcommon add-on devices used to enhance computers. Almost all personalcomputers can use any of a variety of expansion cards such as networkcards, sound cards, and SCSI (small computer system interface) cards.Consequently, a typical computer enclosure is configured to have anumber of expansion slots that allow users to install optional expansioncards.

[0005] Conventionally, expansion cards are directly secured in acomputer enclosure one by one, using bolts. Each expansion card needsone bolt. Fastening or detachment of the bolts is unduly time-consumingand laborious. This retards the efficiency of installation and removalof the expansion cards. These problems are multiplied in mass productionfacilities, and result in increased costs. Examples of theabovementioned means for securing expansion cards are found in TaiwanPatent Application Nos. 84206442, 85218324 and 87200066.

[0006] A retention device which overcomes the above-mentioned problemsis desired.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0007] Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to provide aretention device for conveniently mounting a plurality of expansioncards to a rear panel of a computer.

[0008] To achieve the above object, a retention device in accordancewith a preferred embodiment of the present invention is for mounting aplurality of expansion cards to a rear panel. The rear panel defines aplurality of expansion slots and receiving members therein. Each of theexpansion cards has a metal plate positioned at a rear end thereof. Themetal plate comprises a bent portion and an inserting portion receivedin a corresponding receiving member. Two aligned pivot seats are formedin the rear panel and two holes are defined in the rear panel. Theretention device comprises a pressing portion and a resilient portionconnecting with opposite ends of the pressing portion. Two hooks areformed in the resilient portion. The pressing portion is pivotablymounted between the two pivot seats of the rear panel. In assembly, thepressing portion of the retention device presses against the bentportions of the metal plates in a direction toward the receivingmembers. The two hooks of the resilient portion are detachably engagedwith the two holes of the rear panel.

[0009] Other objects, advantages and novel features of the presentinvention will be drawn from the following detailed description of apreferred embodiment of the present invention with the attacheddrawings, in which:

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0010]FIG. 1 is an exploded, isometric view of a retention device andassociated equipment in accordance with the preferred embodiment of thepresent invention;

[0011]FIG. 2 is an enlarged view of a fastening device of the retentiondevice of FIG. 1, viewed from another aspect; and

[0012]FIG. 3 is an assembled view of FIG. 1.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0013] Referring to FIG. 1, a retention device 40 in accordance with thepreferred embodiment of the present invention is used for mounting aplurality of expansion cards 30 to a rear panel 10 of a computerenclosure.

[0014] Each expansion card 30 comprises a metal plate 32 attached on arear end thereof. The metal plate 32 comprises a tapered insertingportion 34 formed at one end thereof, and a bent portion 36 formed at anopposite end thereof.

[0015] A plurality of expansion slots 12 is defined in a bottom leftportion of the rear panel 10 (as viewed from outside the rear panel 10)and generally mainly located in a main plane of the rear panel. Aplurality of receiving members 14 is formed on the rear panel 10 betweencorresponding ends of the expansion slots 12 and a left extremity of therear panel 10. Two aligned pivot seats 16 are formed in a right portionof the rear panel 10 at top and bottom ends of the plurality ofexpansion slots 12 respectively. Each pivot seat 16 defines a pivotingcutout 18. Two square holes 22 are defined in a right portion of therear panel 10 and generally on a secondary plane thereof, to the rightof but generally between the pivot seats 16.

[0016] Referring also to FIG. 2, the retention device 40 is made ofresilient material such as plastic. The retention device 40 comprises apressing portion 42, and a resilient portion 42 connecting with oppositeends of the pressing portion 44. Two pivoting posts 46 extend from theopposite ends of the pressing portion 44 respectively, for engaging inthe corresponding pivoting cutouts 18 to pivotably attach the retentiondevice 40 to the rear panel 10. The pressing portion 42 comprises aplurality of pressing blocks 48 projecting therefrom, corresponding tothe metal plates 32 of the expansion cards 30. The resilient portion 44comprises a pair of U-shaped sections 45 at the opposite ends thereofrespectively, for improving an elasticity thereof. Two hooks 52 areformed on the resilient portion 44 between the U-shaped sections 45, forengaging in the holes 22 of the rear panel 10.

[0017] Referring to FIG. 3, in assembly, the expansion cards 30 areattached to the rear panel 10 at the corresponding expansion slots 12.The inserting portion 34 of the metal plate 32 of each expansion card 30is received in a corresponding receiving member 14, and the bent portion36 abuts the rear panel 10 at an end of the corresponding expansion slot12 distal from the receiving member 14. The pivoting posts 46 of theretention device 40 are pivotably engaged in the pivoting cutouts 18 ofthe pivot seats 16. Then the retention device 40 is rotated until thehooks 52 are engaged in the corresponding holes 22. The pressing blocks48 press against the bent portions 36 of the metal plates 32 in adirection toward the receiving members 14. Thus the expansion cards 30are securely attached to the rear panel 10.

[0018] In disassembly, the resilient portion 44 is pressed to releasethe hooks 52 from the holes 22. The retention device 40 is rotated torelease the pressing portion 42 from the bent portions 36 of the metalplates 32. The expansion cards 30 are then readily removed from the rearpanel 10.

[0019] It is understood that the invention may be embodied in otherforms without departing from the spirit thereof. Thus, the presentexample and embodiment are to be considered in all respects asillustrative and not restrictive, and the invention is not to be limitedto the details given herein.

What is claimed is:
 1. A retention device for mounting a plurality ofexpansion cards to a rear panel of a computer enclosure, the rear paneldefining a plurality of expansion slots therein, each of the expansioncards having a metal plate positioned at a rear end thereof, theretention device comprising: a pressing portion adapted for beingpivotably mounted to the rear panel and for pressing against the metalplates of the expansion cards; and a resilient portion connecting withopposite ends of the pressing portion, the resilient portion comprisingengaging means detachably engagable with the rear panel.
 2. Theretention device as claimed in claim 1, wherein two pivoting postsextend from two opposite ends of the retention device, for pivotablyengaging in the rear panel respectively.
 3. The retention device asclaimed in claim 1, wherein the engaging means comprises a plurality ofhooks detachably engagable in the rear panel.
 4. The retention device asclaimed in claim 1, wherein the pressing portion comprises a pluralityof pressing blocks projecting therefrom, for pressing against the metalplates of the expansion cards.
 5. The retention device as claimed inclaim 1, wherein a pair of U-shaped sections is formed at opposite endsof the resilient portion, for improving an elasticity thereof.
 6. Anenclosure for mounting expansion cards therein, each of the expansioncards comprising a bent portion, the enclosure comprising: a rear paneldefining a plurality of expansion slots for receiving correspondingexpansion cards; and a retention device pivotably mounted to the panelat one side of the expansion slots, the retention device comprising apressing portion and a resilient portion, wherein the retention deviceis pivotable between a first position in which the resilient portionengages with the rear panel and the pressing portion presses against thebent portions of the expansion cards, and a second position in which theresilient portion is released from the rear panel and the pressingportion is free from the bent portions of the expansion cards.
 7. Theenclosure as claimed in claim 6, wherein a plurality of seats isprovided in the rear panel.
 8. The enclosure as claimed in claim 7,wherein each of the seats defines a pivoting cutout therein.
 9. Theenclosure as claimed in claim 8, wherein two pivoting posts extend fromtwo opposite ends of the retention device, and the pivoting posts arepivotably received in the pivoting cutouts of the seats.
 10. Theenclosure as claimed in claim 6, wherein the rear panel further definesa plurality of holes, and the resilient portion comprises a plurality ofhooks engaging in the holes in the first position.
 11. The enclosure asclaimed in claim 7, wherein the retention device is made of plastic. 12.An enclosure assembly comprising: a rear panel having a plurality ofexpansion slots extending therethrough in a first direction, and forminga supporting plate located on an inner side thereof and extending alonga second direction perpendicular to said first direction andsubstantially above said expansion slots, each of said expansion slotsbeing of an elongated configuration along a third directionperpendicular to both said first and second directions; a plurality ofexpansion covers extending along the third direction and covering thecorresponding expansion slots, respectively, each of said expansioncovers including a bent portion seated upon the support platform; and aretention device pivotally mounted on said inner side of the rear panel,said retention device defining a pivotal axis with a pressing blocklocated by one side of said pivotal axis and downwardly pressing againstthe bent portions so as to cooperate with the support platform tosandwich said bent portions therebetween, and with a locking devicelocated by the other side of said pivotal axis to be detachably fastenedto the rear panel so as to hold the retention device in position withoutrotation.
 13. The assembly as claimed in claim 12, wherein saidretention device further includes a resilient portion on which saidlocking device is located.
 14. The assembly as claimed in claim 12,wherein said rear panel defines a main plate with said expansion slotstherein and a secondary plate parallel to said main plate, and saidsupport platform is perpendicularly connected between said main plateand said secondary plate and integrally formed with at least one of saidmain plate and said secondary plate.